Just wondering what the dress code is because I will be there in a few days! First time going and also would like to know if you have been to the Grill if you liked or not?
-
Welcome to the WDWMAGIC.COM Forums!
Please take a look around, and feel free to sign up and join the community.
What is the dress code for California Grill? Yay or nay?
- Thread starter DisneyAndUniversalFan
- Start date
crxbrett
Well-Known Member
Yes, it is wonderful!! It's one of my favorite places to dine at DW and I never go without a meal there. Dress code is casual but dressy. Well, supposed to be anyways lol I usually wear dress shorts and a nice short-sleeved button-down collared shirt when I go and dress sneakers. But I have seen people in there with just tanktops and sports jerseys and baseball caps on.
TIP - You can eat at the lounge and not need an ADR. Take in mind the lounge tables are only good for 2, maybe 3 people. I find getting there right at 5pm when they open is ideal if you want to get a lounge seat. I always get seated right up against a window. Obviously if you are going for the fireworks then my tip won't work though.
TIP - You can eat at the lounge and not need an ADR. Take in mind the lounge tables are only good for 2, maybe 3 people. I find getting there right at 5pm when they open is ideal if you want to get a lounge seat. I always get seated right up against a window. Obviously if you are going for the fireworks then my tip won't work though.
crxbrett
Well-Known Member
BTW, here is the dress code per Disney's site. But again, I have seen people in there that are violating the dress code, but obviously Disney did not care to enforce it.
Dress Code
Guests are asked to adhere to the minimum dress code requirements at this Signature Dining experience. Dressier attire is also welcome.
Please explore the minimum dress code requirements:
Men must wear khakis, slacks or dress shorts and collared shirts. Jeans may be worn if in good condition. Sport coats are optional.
Women must wear Capri pants, skirts, dresses or dress shorts. Jeans may be worn if in good condition.
Not permitted are tank tops, flip-flops, swimsuits, swimsuit cover-ups, hats for gentlemen, cut-offs, torn clothing and t-shirts with offensive language and/or graphics.
Dress Code
Guests are asked to adhere to the minimum dress code requirements at this Signature Dining experience. Dressier attire is also welcome.
Please explore the minimum dress code requirements:
Men must wear khakis, slacks or dress shorts and collared shirts. Jeans may be worn if in good condition. Sport coats are optional.
Women must wear Capri pants, skirts, dresses or dress shorts. Jeans may be worn if in good condition.
Not permitted are tank tops, flip-flops, swimsuits, swimsuit cover-ups, hats for gentlemen, cut-offs, torn clothing and t-shirts with offensive language and/or graphics.
Minnie Mum
Well-Known Member
PP has given the dress code. In reality you'll pretty much see everything. People dressed up to celebrate something special. Many of the guests in dressy casual. And some guests wearing their park clothes. Personally, I think that dining at a signature deserves a bit of attention to your dress. At the very least shower and change out of your sweaty park clothes you've been wearing all day.
CG is not one of our favorite signatures. It tends to be noisy ( lots of kids, especially early in the evening) and the quality of the food is uneven. I'd recommend a later seating, if you can get one.
CG is not one of our favorite signatures. It tends to be noisy ( lots of kids, especially early in the evening) and the quality of the food is uneven. I'd recommend a later seating, if you can get one.
DisneyFreak
Well-Known Member
This is a shame really. If there is a dress code Disney should enforce it, especially at a resort restaurant and at the caliber of California Grill.
crxbrett
Well-Known Member
I agree. Why have a dress code if it's not ever going to be enforced? For me personally, I prefer to dress up slightly for any of the nice table service restaurants at the resorts and would do so even if there was not a dress code policy. Unrelated to CA Grill, but believe it or not, I saw someone wearing a Pittsburgh Steelers jersey inside Club 33 at Disneyland the last time I ate there in 2010!!!! I was pretty appalled, shocked and also quite angry Disney would allow that. That was years ago though, and I think that was part of the reason they started making it a lot more difficult to be able to eat there now.
If you are going to eat at a nice establishment, at least take the time to look presentable and like you care.
Sorry chris, I didn't mean to derail your thread with a rant about dresscodes.
crxbrett
Well-Known Member
Follow up on what I liked about CA Grill. The view is excellent and breath-taking and makes the restaurant absolutely worth going to just once, if not for a full dinner or breakfast, then even just for a cocktail. I have only gone at sunset, but I can only imagine how amazing the fireworks would be from up there! Also, one of my favorite visits to CA Grill was during an early evening thunderstorm. It was really awesome to watch from up there!
They are constantly changing the dinner menu, but my favorites are the goat cheese ravioli and the rib-eye steak! I was thoroughly impressed with both! Obviously how you get your steak cooked is up to you, but if you want my advice I would go with medium rare for sure. They had a cheese steak flatbread last summer that was also delicious, but I think it's been taken off the menu now.
They are constantly changing the dinner menu, but my favorites are the goat cheese ravioli and the rib-eye steak! I was thoroughly impressed with both! Obviously how you get your steak cooked is up to you, but if you want my advice I would go with medium rare for sure. They had a cheese steak flatbread last summer that was also delicious, but I think it's been taken off the menu now.
thank you! that is great to hear! I can’t wait now to go!!! thank you so much!!
CaptainAmerica
Premium Member
The California Grill dress code is EXTREMELY relaxed. A pair of chino shorts and a golf shirt is perfectly acceptable, and you can also wear that to the parks.
CaptainAmerica
Premium Member
Overrated, honestly. The angle is terrible. That show is meant to be watched front-and-center. Viewing it from overhead and 45 degrees to the East doesn't do it justice.
crxbrett
Well-Known Member
I can kind of see that since you are so high up and off to the side. I have viewed the fireworks from 'Ohana, which is super nice, though a bit farther away.
whats the dress code for girls? My sister would like to know!
crxbrett
Well-Known Member
Per the site - Women must wear Capri pants, skirts, dresses or dress shorts. Jeans may be worn if in good condition.
But my gal has also worn a very casual, but still dressy summer dress and also has worn nice shorts with a nice blouse top and pretty wedge sandals before and looked appropriate. Not sure what style your sister likes, but hope that helps!
alright thanks so much!! ill tell her!!
drwadadli
Well-Known Member
IMHO (or IOHO....in our humble opinion), California Grill is so overrated with good food (NOT great) and that the only thing it has going for it is the view. It was very noisy including the bar area. It was not a quiet romantic restaurant as all the other signature dining restaurants (except The Hollywood Brown Derby, which is why we don't eat there either) are. The food was just okay but nothing to "write home" about. I have had better sushi at Kona Island. I think the only thing it has going for it is the view to watch the fireworks but then again you can find great other great views at 'Ohana or the beach of the Polynesian Village. If you take the view out of the picture, California Grill would not be a signature restaurant and I am sure that most people wouldn't love it as much as they do. We were there in 2013 and I understand that they have changed head chef's since then. I have also been told to ask for the Monterey Room if we ever go back as it is quieter than the main dining room. I want to give it another try but my wife also wasn't very impressed with it on the first time. I know there are a lot of people that rant and rave about the California Grill but to us, it is the most overrated signature restaurant at WDW. When you look at the signature restaurants throughout WDW, they are all quiet romantic couple restaurants and for us, California Grill is the furtherest from that.
MaryJaneP
Well-Known Member
We like CG so our vote is YAY. Have to agree that the angle view of the fireworks is askew. Also agree that it is occasionally noisy. And that food is good not great. Romantic it is not. However, we have and will do CG again and again. Dress code is a request not a requirement or lack of admission. Most people dress nicely, as we did.
drwadadli
Well-Known Member
So, I am curious. If the is not great and it is noisy and the angle for viewing the fireworks is not the best and it is not romantic, then why go back again and again????
crxbrett
Well-Known Member
I have not experienced a noisy or super busy CA Grill yet since I always go at 5pm when they open. If people are put off by noise or it being too busy, I highly suggest going at 5p. It's very quiet and hardly anyone is in there. Also, I usually go on a Tue or Wed night, so maybe try to shoot for non-weekend nights as well. Going at that time will also get you a table near the windows. Yes, you will miss the fireworks show, but you will also get to watch the sun set over the Seven Seas Lagoon and the MK - which is a very nice view.
Everyone always has different experiences of course, but for me personally, CA Grill is definitely worth eating at and definitely a favorite. I thoroughly enjoyed every bite of my rib-eye and goat cheese ravioli last summer! We also had a wonderful waitress that was fantastic and was a great conversationalist.
Everyone always has different experiences of course, but for me personally, CA Grill is definitely worth eating at and definitely a favorite. I thoroughly enjoyed every bite of my rib-eye and goat cheese ravioli last summer! We also had a wonderful waitress that was fantastic and was a great conversationalist.
drwadadli
Well-Known Member
Maybe we will try that next time. Typically, we are late eaters (8 - 9 p.m.) but am willing to try earlier especially if you get the sights of sunset.
Disney4family
Well-Known Member
We've always showered and washed off the "parks" before dining here. We've also always dressed nicely. My daughter and I enjoy little summer dresses and the men (hubby & soon-to-be-14 year old son) wear collared, short-sleeved shirts & nice shorts. It just makes it a "different", special, WDW treat for us.
We have seen people dressed from "parks" clothes to nice, but casual, attire. We're honestly so self-absorbed in our own experience that we don't really notice too much of others. To each their own - even at fine dining at WDW.
We've had amazing meals, waiters, wine and views. Sunset is beautiful as @crxbrett has said. We usually grab an early dinner (@7) and then head over to BLT for drinks and fireworks. One year we did run back to our room at BLT, put on parks clothes and had a blast at night in the Magic Kingdom.
Is it noisy? Yeah. Probably. Typical WDW. I guess one wouldn't expect that at a more "fine" dining experience than other table-service experiences, but who cares. The views are awesome. The room is alive with excitement. We're at WDW. It's a special meal. It's fun. It's expensive. It's worth it (even the two bottles of $100 Silverado cabernet sauvignon that must evaporate in the air up there on the top floor.
). It's WDW. Did I say that already? I don't care if people show up in togas. In a few weeks I'm there. Would it be nice if everyone made it special like I do? I guess so. But I guess different strokes for different folks. I wouldn't miss this experience for anything. It makes me smile just thinking of it.
We have seen people dressed from "parks" clothes to nice, but casual, attire. We're honestly so self-absorbed in our own experience that we don't really notice too much of others. To each their own - even at fine dining at WDW.
We've had amazing meals, waiters, wine and views. Sunset is beautiful as @crxbrett has said. We usually grab an early dinner (@7) and then head over to BLT for drinks and fireworks. One year we did run back to our room at BLT, put on parks clothes and had a blast at night in the Magic Kingdom.
Is it noisy? Yeah. Probably. Typical WDW. I guess one wouldn't expect that at a more "fine" dining experience than other table-service experiences, but who cares. The views are awesome. The room is alive with excitement. We're at WDW. It's a special meal. It's fun. It's expensive. It's worth it (even the two bottles of $100 Silverado cabernet sauvignon that must evaporate in the air up there on the top floor.
). It's WDW. Did I say that already? I don't care if people show up in togas. In a few weeks I'm there. Would it be nice if everyone made it special like I do? I guess so. But I guess different strokes for different folks. I wouldn't miss this experience for anything. It makes me smile just thinking of it.